Gainsborough Trinity 3 Darlington 1

A poor first half display gave Quakers too much to do in the second half at Northolme

They conceded two goals in the first 20 minutes and then had Dominic Collins controversially red carded in the first half, and despite a very spirited second half, they couldn't make up the deficit.

Quakers started with Stephen Thompson at right back in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Reece Styche as the lone striker.

Gainsborough had the first half-chance, an effort in a crowded penalty area that was charged down by Gary Brown.

Quakers had a shout for a penalty when Styche went for the ball in the box and went down, but ref waved play on.

Gainsborough took the lead on 10 minutes. A pass by Brown out of defence was intercepted by tom Davie, who ran forward and crossed for Ashley Worsfold to come in at the far post and head past Talbot.

Quakers got a corner on the right after 16 minutes. Galbraith’s inswinger was cleared as far as Portas, whose header back towards goal was saved by Ravas.

It was 2-0 on 20 minutes. Gainsborough broke away from the edge of their own area, and got to the edge of the Darlington box, where Shane Clarke neatly sidestepped a challenge, and fired into the top corner.

Darlington manager Tommy Wright then made two changes. Galbraith limped off injured and was replaced by Heaton, and Tom Portas was replaced by David Syers with Quakers reverting to a back three.

Quakers then had Dominic Collins controversially sent off on 43 minutes for a late tackle on Liam King in front of the main stand, but Darlington were unhappy that seven Gainsborough players surrounded the referee.

Liam Marrs then came on and replaced Caton.

Half time

Gainsborough 2 Darlington 0

Greg Mills made a good run up the left at the start of the second half, but put his cross behind.

Quakers threatened on 48 minutes when Marrs found Josh Gillies inside the box, and his low shot was going into the bottom left corner until Ravas got down well and saved.

Thompson, now playing at left wing back, ran forward 30 yards and hit a right foot shot that went wide.

Quakers had another chance on 51 minutes when a free kick from inside their own half was nodded down by Brown for mills to fire low into the keeper’s hands.

Quakers nearly scored on 52 minutes when Turnbull floated a free kick into the box for Heaton to flick on, but Ravas pushed the ball against the post.

But Gainsborough nearly went 3-0 up when a quick throw by Talbot was picked up by Nathan Jarman, and his chip towards goal dropped on to the roof of the net.

Quakers pulled a goal back on 67 minutes. Mills played the ball out to the right, where Gillies drove the ball towards goal, the keeper fumbled it and Styche tapped in.

Quakers kept going forward, and Syers had a shot deflected wide after Heaton set him up.

Quakers are a different team this half!

But they went 3-1 down on 83 minutes, when a clearance was headed forward by Gainsborough, and Nathan Jarman ran through and poked the ball past Talbot.

Final score: Gainsborough 3 Darlington 1

Team; Talbot, Brown, Collins, Galbraith, Mills, Thompson, Portas, Turnbull, Caton, Gillies, Styche

Subs: Syers, Scott, Heaton, Marrs, Saunders

Gainsborough: Ravas, Evans, Jacklin, Clarke, Stainfield, Richards, C King, L King, Jarman, Worsfold, Davie

Subs: Simmons, Warren, Lacey, Bateson, Storey

Referee: T Parsons